Electric railway



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. B. SHELDON & D. J. MURNANB.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Patented Nov. 3,1891.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. B. SHELDON & D. J. MURNANE. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

No. 462,595. Patented N0v.3,1891.

tu nome "ma co., muro-mno., musulman, n. c.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES I3. SI'IELDON ANI) DANIEL J. MURNANE, OF

S'l. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

ASSIGNORS TO TUE YUNDERGROUND ELECTRIC 'lRACTION COMPANY,

O F MISSOURI.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 462,595, dated November 3, 1891.

Application tiled February 12, 1891. Serial No. 381,218. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that we, JAMES B. SHELDoN and DANIEL J. MURNANE, of the city ot' St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Railways, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

Our invention relates to improvements in electric railways; and it consists in thenovel arrangements and combination of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and designated in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation of our invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of switches, contact-plates, and attachments which we employ in carrying out our invention. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of an electric switch which we employ in. carrying out our invention. Figui. is a diametrieal cross-section of the same. Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a crank-arm of the switch. Fig. G is a diametrical vertical section of an inner shell or casing of the switch, and Iiig. 7 is a detailed perspective lview of an arm located in said inner shell or casing for making electrical contact.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the frame-work of an ordinarycar, tothe bottom of which andthe ends thereof are secured segmental plates 2. Said segmental plates are secured to the ends of said frame-work by means of bolts orrivets Said segmental plates are provided with curvilinear slots l.

5 indicates a bar which passes transversely across and the ends thereof are secured to the truclcfranie. Said bar 5 is located prefeiably in the median portion of the truckframe.

G indicates vertical arms or posts, the up per terminal portions of which are provided with grooved rollers 7, between the flanges of which rollersthe contact portions of the segmental plates are" interposed, and said arms or posts are so located in the curvilinear slots of said segmental plates that the same are free to move therein. rI`he lower ends of said arms or posts G are mechanically secured to flexible contactplates 8 and 9, respectively. Said contact-plates S and l) are hinged together at their inner ends, forming a pivotal connection between the same. Said plates are secured pivotally together by means of a tube 10, passing through the ends of said plates 8 and t) and mechanically secured to bar l1 indicates an insulated conducting-wire which is in electrical contactwith plates S and 9 and also is suitably and electrically connected to the motor of the car. Posts or arms 6 pass down through slots formed in the subway and are movable alongin the same as the car moves. By the pivotal connection between the plates 8 and tl the same are allowed to turn and give when the car goes around a curve, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The united length of plates S and E) is about the length of thefranie of the streetcar or motor.

13 indicates the main conducting-wire, which is suitably7 secured in the subway and at one side thereof.

1J. represents the branch conductors which lead from the main conducting-wire 13 to the switches 15, as will be more fully hereinafter specified. Said electric switches l5 are yieldingly secured to the frame-work of the subway by means of a shaft 1G, the yielding connection being effected by `means of a spiral spring 17, which encircles said shaft, with one end rigidly secured thereto, and the other end of said spring is secured to the f rame-work 1S of the switch.

19 represents a hinged lid, which is secured to the frame-work 1S by means 0f a bolt or rivet 20. Said lid maybe elevated oropened up Aas desired, thereby permitting theinspection of the i'nterior mechanism of the switch, if desired.

The switch proper, exclusive of the framework, as hereinbefore stated, consists of two inverted shells 21 and 22, and shell 2l is free to rotate over shell when acted upon by the contact-plates, as shown in Figs. -t and 2, and is secured therein by means of nut 23, which is adapted to be secured on the end of a stud 24., integrally cast or formed with the inner shell 22. The inner shell 22 is insu- 'lated from the lid 19, and consequently from the frame of the switch.

25 indicates a circular projection which is formed on the top of the inner shell 22 and is adapted to lit in a corresponding circular depression formed in the top of shell 21, thereby effecting a good electrical connection between the two. Inner shell 22 is provided on itsinternal surface with a coat of insulating material 26. The electric current transmitting and transferring device by which it is changed as desired for functional purposes is as follows, to wit: A crank-arm 27 is provided with arms 23 and 29. Said crankarm 27 is secured in the inner shell 22 by means of stud 30, one end of which stud is provided with a perforation in which said crank-arm is adapted tobe inserted, and the other end of said stud is. secured to inner shell 22 by'means of a nut 3l, but insulated therefrom. The restoration of said arm 27 to its normal position after it has been turned in either direction is effected by mea-ns of a spiral spring 32, one end of which is rigidly secured in a perforation 33, formed in said crank-arm 27, and' the other end 0f said spring 32 is immovably located while in functional use in stud 30. By this construction it will be' readily seen that when said arm has been turned in either direction in forming contact the spring willimmediately restore it to its normal position.

34 and 35 indicate contact-arms, one end of which Vis provided lwith a perforation, as shown in Fig. 7, and through said perforationsbran'ch conductors 14 may be inserted and secured. Said arms and said conductors are in electrical contact. The other ends of said arms are provided withbent extensions 36, which extensions are adapted to be brought in contact with'contact projections 37, formed on the inner surface of shell 22.

'38 indicates a sawitch-lever, which is pivotally secured to frame-work 1S of the switch by .means of a headed b'olt 39. The inner arm 40 ofk said lever is bifurcated, and between the bifurcations thereof a stud 41, formed on arm 29, is interposed. The'outer arm 42 of said lever projects alittle way beyond the exterior surface of the outer shell 21, thereby permitting the saine to be struck by contactplates 9 and 8, respectively, as the car advances or goes in an opposite direction. the shells 2l and 22 being inverted -the water,

. which is liable to accumulate in the subway, cannot rise up in the interior space thereof and affect or interfere with the electrical connection or .weaken the electrical energy. The inner shell 22, in which is located the detailed mechanism of the switch, tits closely against the bottomof the frame-work, therebypreventing the introduction or access of any foreign substance-such as water or dust-into the interior space and preventingor retarding the electric connection and lessening the electrical energy.

43 indicates spiral springs, one end of which is secured to arms 34 and 35, respectively, and the other Vend of the same is secured to the insulation 26 of the inner shell 22. Said springs have only mechanical functions-to wit, normally holding said arms out of contact with contact projections 37,

Having given an explicit-description of the mechanical parts substantially embodied in our invention, we will no w proceed to describe the manner in which the electric connections are made between the main conducting-wire and the motor as the car advances or goes in an opposite direction.

Referring to Fig. l and conceiving that the car is going in a forward direction, as indicated by the arrow, theconnections are as follows: The switches l5V are so situated in the subway and situated at such a relative distance apart relative 'to the united llength of contact-plates 8 and'9 that while the rear switch or the one at the right in Fig. l is'still in direct contact with plate 8 the forward switch or the one at the left is brought in contact with plate 9; or, in other words, one switch is always in direct contact when the other switch is in partial contact, thereby utilizing the electrical energy only as needed. As `the car advances,A still referring to Fig. l, as contact-plate 9'strikes arm 42 of the switchlever said lever will turn crank-arm 27 and throw arm 28 against* arm`34, which results in throwing said arm `34 in contact with contact projection 37, which results from arm 34 being in electrical contact with branch conductors 14 in transmitting or'transferring the current to projection 37, thence in the shell 22 ofthe switch, then in shell 2l, andas shell 21 is brought in contact with contact-plates 8 and 9 the current willpass from'said-shell into said plates and froml said plates is conducted by wire l1 to the motor of the car. Of course when the car goes in .an opposite direction'the,connection will be the same, but will be effectedy through arm 35, whichresults from an opposite motion 'of vthe switchlever 38.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim isl. In an electric railway, a series of yieldingly-secured rotating stationary switches located in the conduit and having connection with a source of electrictyand devices on the motor-car adapted to conduct the current from said switches tothe motor, substantially `as set forth.

2. In an electric railway, a series of 'yieldingly-secured rotating switches having connection with a'source of electricity, 'and' contact-plates adapted to be carried bythe car and having connection with the motor `and also'with the switches, said switches being situated at relative distances apart corresponding to the united length of the contactplates, substantially as set forth.

3. An electric railway consisting of a motor-car, plates secured to the end of the frame IOO ITO

thereof and movable therewith, posts or arms movablysecured to said plates, contact-plates secured to said posts or arms and movable therewith, a conducting-wire, and switches located in the condnitin connection with said conducting-wire, adapted to be operated by said contact-plates, whereby the current is conducted from the main conducting-wire through said plates, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a motor-car, segmental plates provided with segmental slots secured to the ends of the frame of said motor-car, posts or arms movably secured in said slots, contact-plates the inner terminal portions of which are pivotally secured together and the other ends secured to said posts or arms, the pivotal connection permitting the posts to turn relative to each other in the curve of the road, a bar 5, secured to the truck-frame, a tube l0, connecting said plates to said bar, a conducting-wire located in the conduit, and switches also located in the conduit in electrical contact with the con* ductingwire, said switches adapted to be operated by said plates for connecting the current from the main conducting wire through said plates and into the motor, substantially as set forth.

5. An electric switch adapted to be secured to the frame of the subway of an electric railway, the same consisting of a framework 2, inverted shells in the same, a crank-arm located in one of said shells, and contact-arms likewise located in said shell and adapted to be acted upon by said crank-arm, substantially as set forth.

f5. An electric switch adapted to be secured to the frame of the snbwayof an electric railway, consisting` of a frame-work, two inverted shells of different diameters, the smaller of which is concentrically placed in the other, a stud 3l, secured to said shell, a crank-arm 27, secured to said stud, contact-'arms 34 and 35, secured to the branch cond noting-wire 14, and a Switch-lever 38 for operatin g said crank-arm for effecting electrical connection, substantially as set forth.

7. A switch adapted to be secured in the subway of an electric railway, consisting of a frame 18, a lid 19, hinged to the same, an inverted insulated shell 22, secured to said lid and insulated therefrom, a shell 21, concentrically placed over said inner shell and adapted to be rotated thereon, a stud 31, secured to'shell 22, a crank-arm 2", secured to said stud, a spiral spring 32, encircling said arm for restoring` the same to its normal position when moved, contactarnos it and 35 to branch wires 14:, and a bifurcated switch-lever 3S for operating said cran k-shaf t, substantially as set forth.

8. A switch adapted to be secured in the Subway of an electric railway, consisting of a frame 1S,a lid 19, hinged to the same, an inverted insulated shell 22, provided with contact projections 37, secured to said lid and insulated therefrom, a shell 21, concentrically placed over said inner shell and adapted to be rotated thereon, a stud 3l, secured to shell 22, a crank-arm 1T, secured to said stud, a spiral spring 32, encircling the said arm for restoring the same to its normal position when moved, contact-arms 34: and 35, secured to branch wires 11, and a bifurcated switch-lever 3S for operating said crankshaft and bringing the arm 2S of the same against contact project-ions 37,substantially as set forth.

9. A switch adapted to be secured in tho subway of an electric railway, consisting of a frame 1S, a lid 19, hinged to the saine, an inverted insulated shell 22, provided with contact projections 37 and circular projection 25, secured to said lid and insulated therefrom, a shell 21, provided with a circular depression, in which said circular projection 25 is adapted to fit, concentrically placed over said inner shell and adapted to be rotated thereon, a stud 31, secured to shell 22, a crank-arm 27, secured to said stud, a spiral spring 32, secured to said arm for restoring the same to its normal position when moved, contactplates 34: and 35, secured to branch wires 14, and a bifurcated switch-lever 3S for operating said crank-shaft and bringing projections 2S, formed thereon,-in contact with arms Si and 35, substantially as set forth.

10. A switch adapted to be secured in the subway of an electric railway, consisting of a Lframe 18, a lid 19, hinged to the same, an inverted insulated shell 22, secured to said lid and insulated therefrom, a shell 2l, concentrically placed over said inner shell and adapted to be rotated thereon, a stud 31, secured to shell 22, a crank-arm 27, secured to said stud, a spiral spring 32, encircling said arm for restoring the same to its normal position when moved, contact-arms 34 and 85, secured to branch wires 14, and springs 4S, secured to said arms for holding said arms out of contact only when operated on by a bifurcated lever 3S, operating said crankshaft, snbstantially as set forth.

11. The combination of segmental plates 2, provided with segmental slots 4, secured to the ends of the truck-frame, posts or arms G, secured and movable in said segmental slots,

contact-plates 8 and- 9, the inner terminalA ends thereof pivotally secured together by means of a tube 10 and the other terminal portions thereof secured to said arms or posts 6, a bar 5, to which said tube lO is secured, an insulated conducting-wire 11 in electrical contact with plates 8 and 9,a switch or switches consisting of a frame-work 1S, adapted to be yieldingly secured to the frame-work of the subway by means of a shaft 1G through the agency of a spiral spring 17, encircling said shaft, one end of which is rigidly secured. to said shaft and the other end of said spring secured to the `framework 18, a lid 19, hinged to said frame-work, an inverted insulated inner shell 22, provided with contact projections 37 and circular projection 25, secured to an outer shell 21, provided with a circular IOO depressiomwhich sh ellis concentrically placed over said inner shell and adapted to be rotated thereon, a stud 3l, secured to said inner shell, a crank-arm or shaft secured to said stud, a spiral spring 32, encircling` saidvshaft, one end of which is rigidly secured to the same and the other to stud 3l for restoring,` said shaft to its normal position, contact-arms 34C and 35, secured to branch wires 14 and movable thereon and in electrical contact therewith, springs 13, secured to said arms for holding the same normally out of contact with projections 37, a switch-lever 3S, pivot- Vally secured to frame-work 18, said switchlever provided with a bifurcated arm 40, adapted to act upon arm 29 of crank-shaft 27, and with an arm 42, normally projecting 

